"If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under."

- Ronald Reagan

Thursday, July 5, 2007

LONDON! British Museum: Middle Section

Hope y'all had a happy Fourth of July! We had fun at our house and yes, I took pictures. But in my last post, I said I would continue with the British Museum and I wouldn't want to make myself a liar. So, on to the Middle Section of the museum. This was where they had Assyrian artifacts as well as those from Ancient Greece and there weren't many things in this section that the book wanted to take a look at. (And Middle Section is my name for it so don't go to the museum and ask for the "Middle Section" or they'll just look at you funny.)

What has five legs and flies?

An Assyrian Guard! These statues stood guard outside a palace more than 800 years before Christ as born. They have five legs so they look proper when viewed from the front of from the side. And they are really, really big.

We skipped over the entire Assyrian section because we are lazy Americans (and because we had about an hour to see the Greek statues). For those of you that are sensitive about nudity, you might not want to look too closely at the Greek Statues, mmm-kay?

The Goddess Aphrodite. She is not featured in the book and I, frankly, am a little offended by that.

This lovely statue is known as the Garden Lady. She was found in the garden of a former ambassador. There's nothing known about her origins or her real name. I think the story just adds to her melancholy feel. Don't you just want to give her a big hug and maybe split a chocolate bar with her?

In our quest to get through the museum, we came upon a special collection that was not mentioned in the book (probably a limited engagement). I had to put the brakes on our rushing because these were Mayan artifacts. My father happens to love the Mayan culture and I do, too. So I got a few pictures.

This is a representation of a bloodletting ceremony. Now, the names escape me at the moment but the guy holding the big sword? He's a ruler. His wife just had a baby boy, giving him a male heir, and he recently defeated his enemy in battle. The guy crouching down? He is the enemy, one from a royal family. So the guy who is having a very good day, must sacrifice the guy not having a good day - or let out his blood - as a tribute to the gods.

A tablet with their ancient writing. I didn't get the information on this one because the rest of my party was waiting at the door, anxious to see the next section. Geesh...

4 comments:

I love all the pictures as usual!! I think ancient histories are so darn interesting. I just wish that I had more time to learn about them sometimes!! (But as soon as I knew something I would probably forget it!! My brain just isn't as sharp as it used to be before children!!!)

My name is Katy and I am the art director on a student film being shot in Vancouver BC. This photograph would fit perfectly in our film. Due to the fact that this is a student film you will not be compensated, but will receive a credit for this photo, and a copy of the film.

please contact me by email if you are interested lizabeth2346@hotmail.com

What an interesting blog, introduced by a thought-provoking photo. The unusual wall painting of the dwellings is also a strangely modern interpretation. Something like this hieroglyphic view of a park by Swiss painter Paul Klee, http://EN.WahooArt.com/A55A04/w.nsf/OPRA/BRUE-8LT475. The image can be seen at wahooart.com who can supply you with a canvas print of it.

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